Ammolite stone

Ammolite is a rare, iridescent, gem-quality material cut from the fossilized shells of extinct sea creatures known as ammonites. Found only in the Bearpaw Formation in Alberta, Canada, this organic gemstone has a dazzling range of colors and patterns and is highly desired for freeform natural cabochons and assembled jewelry pieces.

Ammolite “naturals” are freeform cabochons with a non-coated hand finish. They’re backed by the original shale of the fossil and can range in size up to 10 carats and 6 inches across. These are priced by carat weight, but the backing thickness shouldn’t exceed 1.5 mm.

Gem cutters can also create ammolite doublets or triplets. Doublets are freeform cabs bonded to a backing. Ammolite triplets are usually constructed on a dark gray wafer of natural shale (1) below a thin layer of ammolite (2). On top, there’s usually a calibrated cap of optical quartz or synthetic spinel (3). This structure allows the ammolite to show the most brilliant flash while protecting it in a setting durable enough for everyday jewelry wear.
Ranks 4 to 4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.

FACTS :

1 Colors display in an opal-like spectrum of fiery oranges soothing blues and electric greens.

2 Sourced from Alberta Canada.

3 Member of the ammonite family this stone is not a mineral but a fossil.

4 Also known as calcentite korite and lumachelle.

5 Ammolite is rarely offered untreated and is almost always cut into free-form slabs.